Honduras
Why Honduras needs support
(Photo credit: Luc Alary / Canadian Red Cross)
Honduras is located in a region that experiences both conflict and extreme shifts in climate. Like other Central American countries, Honduras is regularly affected by droughts, hurricanes and El Niño. These climate shocks multiply the risk for populations who are already in vulnerable situations. There are high levels of violence and migration, with rampant gender-based violence and discrimination. This further amplifies the vulnerability of women, girls, people with a disability, and Indigenous groups in the region.
The Honduran Red Cross provides needs-based emergency and crisis response. They have teams specialized in epidemics control, disasters response emergencies, and health emergencies.
The Honduran Red Cross works closely with schools, government and other institutions to operate community brigades, which help ensure swift local response to emergency needs in the most remote areas of Honduras.
Empowering locally lead initiatives
(Photo credit: Honduran Red Cross)
The Canadian Red Cross began its work in Honduras in 2000, following Hurricane Mitch. In partnership with the Honduran Red Cross, we committed to improving the lives of people living in some of the poorest and most isolated regions of the country. Over the past two decades of working closely with the Honduran Red Cross, we have offered support for the public health crises in Honduras affecting mothers, newborns and children, epidemic control, disaster management, and risk reduction projects.
Our work in Honduras has highlighted the significance of sustained and committed partnerships, as well as investing in local capacity to respond to emergencies. This has resulted in enhanced gender-sensitive resources and responses, improved preparedness understanding, and plans that are tailored to the needs of the communities we serve.
When back-to-back hurricanes Eta and Iota made landfall in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were severe impacts on the Honduran health system in the affected regions. Adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols, the Canadian Red Cross sent an emergency health clinic to respond to immediate needs of Hondurans with the aim of establishing a lasting and localized solution. Honduran Red Cross emergency volunteers and staff collaborated with Canadian Red Cross responders to deliver technical and health services. This work contributes to making the Honduran Red Cross’ response more efficient and timelier to the risks communities face. It also strengthens the National Society’s capacities to improve care services to at-risk populations. This is done by integrating issues of health, management, protection, social inclusion and community engagement with emphasis on providing specialized services in health services and other mobile populations.
Upon the closure of the clinic, all of the equipment was donated to the Honduran Red Cross, accompanied by committed resources to ensure its continued use. This partnership has allowed the Honduras Red Cross to solidify their vision of a Honduran Health Response Unit, ready to address diverse needs in areas requiring essential health services by integrating protection, gender equality, social inclusion and community engagement.
How you can make an impact
The best way to support Canadian Red Cross programming in countries like Honduras is to make a donation to the International Programs Fund.
Donate to the International Programs Fund
Your gift helps us implement healthcare, water and sanitation programs and contributes to making families and communities more resilient against future disasters, climate crisis or conflict situations. Your donation allows us to help prevent, prepare for, and alleviate the suffering of those impacted by disasters and crises by responding to humanitarian needs, promoting community agencies to address humanitarian crises, strengthening local capacity, and investing in preparedness. Your support will contribute to building more resilient communities around the world.
Read more about how International Programs Fund donations have helped Canadian Red Cross deliver programming around the world.